Athletic Glove With Overlay

ABSTRACT

A breathable athletic glove that provides two-way airflow between the inside and outside of the glove without compromising protection, durability and good range of motion is provided. The glove comprises a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. The back portion comprises a breathable and elastic first back piece, a strengthening overlay covering a first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece, and may or may not comprise a second back piece connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to athletic gloves. More particularly, the present invention relates to a breathable athletic glove that provides two-way airflow between the inside and outside of the glove without compromising protection, durability, and good range of motion when worn.

BACKGROUND

Both professional and amateur athletes often wear athletic gloves when playing sports. In American football, for example, wide receivers, tight ends, running backs, and others whose performance depends upon the ability to effectively grip the football often wear gloves to enhance their grip on the ball. Other position players, such as offensive and defensive lineman, may wear gloves to protect their hands during play.

Athletic gloves are often subjected to a substantial amount of stress when worn in American football and other sports. Athletes repeatedly open, close, stretch, and constrict their hands while catching, throwing, grabbing, pushing, and pulling as required during competition. Athletic gloves often fail as a result of this stress. One frequent area of failure is between adjacent fingers where the fingers join the hand. Additionally, conventional athletic gloves may be hot, making the athlete's hands sweaty and therefore, uncomfortable.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present invention relates to a vented athletic glove with an enhanced range of motion. The glove may comprise a back portion and a palm-side portion having four finger portions, a thumb portion, and a central palm portion. The palm-side portion may be connected to the back portion to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. The opening may be located opposite the four finger sheaths and corresponds approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is worn by the user with fingers of the user extending within the four finger sheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath.

The glove may also comprise a first back piece capable of being easily stretched or breathable and elastic expanded and quickly resuming its former shape. The first back piece may cover at least the middle finger, ring finger, and center portion of the back of a wearer's hand. The first back piece may comprise a piece that may be made of at least in part of polyester. The first back piece may also comprise a first strengthening overlay covering a first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic piece to provide structural integrity, the first plurality of portions together being less than the total area of the breathable and elastic piece. The glove may also comprise a second back piece connected to the first back piece, the second back piece covering the areas extending from the index finger and the little finger toward the glove opening.

An example of the glove of the present invention may also comprise at least one strain-relieving cutout on the second back portion, the location of each cutout corresponding to an inner side of the little, index and thumb finger sheaths wherein, for each strain-relieving cutout, there is a strain relieving finger gusset connecting the cutout to the corresponding two adjacent finger sheaths and a thumb gusset connecting the thumb portion at the center of the palm-side piece.

In another example of the present invention, the glove may comprise a breathable and elastic back piece capable of being easily stretched or expanded and quickly resuming its former shape, with a strengthening overlay covering a first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece, a palm-side piece having four finger pieces and a thumb piece, the palm side piece connected to the breathable and elastic back piece to form finger sheaths corresponding to the little, ring, middle and index fingers, a thumb sheath and an opening capable of receiving a human hand, the opening located opposite the four finger sheaths and corresponding approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is worn by the user with fingers of the user extending within the finger sheaths and the thumb sheath wherein, the strengthening overlay covering the first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece does not cover the areas of the breathable and elastic first back piece that align with the four fingers' knuckles, distal inter-phalangeal joints, and the proximal inter-phalangeal joints since the strengthening overlay may be less elastic than the elastic first back piece.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a back view and a palm view of an example of the glove of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the glove shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a back view and a palm view of another example of the glove of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the glove shown in FIG. 2 of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the glove as worn by an athlete with his fingers flexed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With conventional athletic gloves, an athlete must have his or her hand enclosed in the glove for enhanced performance and protection. However, often times these conventional gloves can make the athlete's hands hot, sweaty and uncomfortable. If ventilation openings are to be provided in a glove, the structural strength of the glove material may be compromised.

Gloves in accordance with the present invention provide durable athletic gloves that provide enhanced performance, protection, and also allow the athlete's hands to breath so that sweat does not build up and create discomfort. Comfort may be increased by providing a breathable and elastic back piece capable of being easily stretched or expanded at least in one dimension and quickly resuming its former shape. The elastic back piece may be reinforced with a first strengthening overlay that is less elastic than the elastic back piece. The strengthening overlay may be strategically placed to cover a plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece, such that the range of motion of the glove is not substantially reduced. The plurality of portions of the first back piece covered by the first strengthening overlay may be less than about the total area of the breathable and elastic first back piece wherein, the strengthening overlay covering the first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece does not cover the areas of the breathable and elastic first back piece that align with the four fingers' knuckles, distal inter-phalangeal joints, and the proximal inter-phalangeal joints, since the strengthening overlay may be less elastic than the elastic first back piece.

The first strengthening overlay may be at least in part a series of intersecting strips wherein the intersecting strips may be about approximately between one-eighth and one fourth of an inch wide. In a different example, the first strengthening overlay may also include a plurality of nodes connected by strips, the strips may comprise a tape like material and may be applied as discreet pieces, or the strips may be applied as part of a lattice. The first strengthening overlay may also be applied in one piece as a die cut thin layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or by screen printing a thin layer of TPU, or by screen printing or ink jet printing any other type of elastomer suitable for this purpose.

Gloves in accordance with the present invention may also provide a second back piece connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece to add sturdiness to the glove particularly to the areas extending from the back to the thumb sheath, the index finger sheath and the little finger sheath, the second back piece being made of a thicker sheet-type material such as but not limited to leather, synthetic leather, non-stretchable fabrics, and/or stretchable fabrics such as spandex. The second back piece may feature at least one strain-relieving cut out in the area where the finger sheaths bend no to impede its range of motion. The finger sheaths may also feature strain relieving gussets made of a flexible and durable fabric-type material for enhanced comfort so that the finger sheaths have an essentially circular cross-sectional area.

Further, gloves in accordance with the present invention may also comprise a palm-side piece having four finger pieces and a thumb piece, the palm-side piece being connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece and the second back piece (if provided), to form four finger sheaths corresponding to the little, ring, middle, and index fingers, a thumb sheath and an opening capable of receiving a human hand, the opening located opposite the four finger sheaths and corresponding approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is worn by the user, with fingers of the user extending within the four finger sheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath. The palm-side piece may be made of but not limited to sheet-type materials such as leather, synthetic leather, or gripping materials such as silicon and/or rubber.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a glove in accordance with the present invention. Glove 100 comprises a back portion 101 and a palm-side portion 102. The palm-side portion 102 may include four finger portions 14, 16, 18, 20, thumb portion 22, and a central palm portion 23. Finger portions 14, 16, 18, 20, thumb portion 22, central palm portion 23, and back portion 101 are connected to form four finger sheaths 24, 26, 28, and 30, a thumb sheath 32, and an opening 34 capable of receiving a human hand. All or part of the palm-side portion may comprise a grip enhancing material.

The back portion 101 of glove 100 comprises a breathable and elastic first back-piece 105. This elastic first back piece 105 may be made of at least in part of polyester. However, any material with suitable elasticity may be used. The elastic first back piece 105 may comprise a less elastic first strengthening overlay 110 placed to strategically cover a first plurality of portions of the first back piece 105 to provide structural support to the elastic first back piece 105 to prevent ripping, the first plurality of portions together being less than the total area of the breathable and elastic first back piece 105. The strengthening overlay covering the first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece may be positioned so as to cover the areas of the breathable and elastic first back piece that align with the four fingers' knuckles, distal inter-phalangeal joints, and the proximal inter-phalangeal joints when glove is worn, since the strengthening overlay 110 may be less elastic than the elastic first back piece 105.

The first strengthening overlay 110 may be at least in part a series of intersecting strips wherein the intersecting strips may be about approximately between one-eighth and one fourth of an inch wide. In a different example, the first strengthening overlay may also include a plurality of nodes connected by strips, the strips may comprise a tape like material and may be applied as discreet pieces, or the strips may be applied as part of a lattice. The first strengthening overlay may also be applied in one piece as a die cut thin layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or by screen printing a thin layer of TPU, or by screen printing or ink jet printing any other type of elastomer suitable for this purpose.

The back portion 101 may further comprise a second back piece 130 connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece 105. The second back piece 130 may comprise a thicker flexible sheet-type material such as woven fabric, leather, synthetic leather, rubber, plastic, etc, and may cover the areas of the first back piece 105 that include the little finger sheath 30 and the index finger sheath 24 and extend toward the glove opening 34 opposite finger sheaths, leaving the first back piece 105 that extends from the middle finger sheath 26 and the ring finger sheath 28 to the glove opening 34 exposed. The exposed back sides of the middle finger sheath 26 and the ring finger sheath 28 may further comprise a second strengthening overlay covering a second plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece 105, corresponding to the fingernails of the user's hand when the glove 100 is worn (not shown). The second strengthening overlay may comprise the same elastomer materials as the first strengthening overlay, or it may comprise different elastomer materials.

The back side of the thumb sheath 32 may also comprise the same material as the second back piece 130 of the glove 100 of the present invention. The second back piece 130 of the glove 100 of the present invention may also feature at least one strain relieving cutout 120, particularly located at the little finger sheath 30, the index finger sheath 24, and the thumb sheath 32 for an enhanced range of motion. The back portion 101 in some examples, may also comprise a wrist strap 135 connected to glove 100 along the opening 34. Wrist strap 135 may be adjustable via a number of mechanisms including but not limited to hook-and-loop connectors, snaps, and buttons.

Glove 100 of the present invention may also have connection points 36, 38, 40 and 42 where the finger sheaths connect. The corresponding two adjacent finger sheaths may be connected via a strain-relieving finger gusset. Strain-relieving finger gusset 132 connects adjacent finger sheaths 14 and 16, strain-relieving finger gusset 134 connects adjacent finger sheaths 16 and 18, and strain-relieving finger gusset 136 connects adjacent finger sheaths 28 and 30. Strain relieving finger gussets 132, 134, and 136 may be made of a stretchable material such as a woven or knitted spandex blend material that is also breathable to allow a user better comfort and a maximum range of motion.

Each of the finger sheaths 24, 26, 28, and 30 may also include one or more side finger gussets that connect finger portions 14, 16, 18, and 20 to the back portion of glove 100. The side finger gussets may also be made of a woven or knitted spandex blend stretchable material. In some examples, each of the finger gussets may be formed from one continuous piece of material.

Strain-relieving gussets 132, 134, and 136 may include “negative space” such that there is a void between portions of each connection point and the material of corresponding strain-relieving gussets 132, 134, and 136. This negative space may act as a vent to further improve breathability.

The side finger gussets may be “split” gussets in which the portion of the gussets closest to the finger portions 14, 16, 18, and 20 are made of a woven or knitted spandex blend stretchable material, and the portions of the gussets closest to the back portion are made of the same material as the back portion.

Strain-relieving finger gussets 132, 134, 136, and any side finger gusset may be attached to finger portions 14, 16, 18, and 20, palm-side portion 102, and the first back piece 105 or first back piece 105 and second back piece 130, through a number of means such as stitching, heated bonding, or ultrasonic welding. The location of the seams created by the stitching, bonding or welding are placed away from the primary pressure-receiving portions of the palm in order to minimize irritation of the hand caused by the seams.

Glove 100 may also include a thumb gusset 138. Thumb gusset 138 connects thumb sheath 22 to index finger sheath 24. Thumb gusset 138 may also connect to palm-side portion 102, central palm portion 23, and/or back portion 101. Thumb gusset 138 may extend varying lengths into the back portion 101, front portion 102, and/or central palm portion 23. Thumb gusset 138 may also extend varying distances along thumb sheath 22 and/or index finger sheath 24. The width and geometry of the thumb gusset 138 may vary according to the particular glove design. Thumb gusset 138 may provide freedom of movement for a user's thumb while the glove is worn.

As with the strain-relieving finger gussets, thumb gusset 138 is preferably made of a stretchable material such as a woven or knitted spandex blend material. The human opposable thumb can be extremely useful and important in various gripping, catching, or other athletic activities, and thumb gusset 138 may serve to mitigate the constraining effect that glove 100 might have on that movement. In conjunction with the strain-relieving cutouts and finger gussets, thumb gusset 138 may allow users wearing glove 100 to stretch their hands to very nearly the same extent as when not wearing glove 100. The strain-relieving finger gussets, cutouts, and thumb gussets can be thought of as providing a “dynamic fit,” where the gussets allow movement and stretching such that regardless of the state of the user's hand, the glove fit remains natural by allowing the gussets to stretch without restricting movement. This dynamic fit may allow for quick expansion and contraction of the hand, such as when opening and closing the hand to catch a football, without constraining the natural motion of the hand.

FIG. 2 further illustrates a cross-sectional area 200 of the back portion of the glove of the present invention presented in FIG. 1 where the breathable and elastic first back piece 210, the first strengthening overlay 220 and the second back piece 230 connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece 210 are all present. As seen in this figure, the first back piece 210 and the strengthening overlay 220 are completely bonded together, whereas the second back 230 piece may or may not be bonded to the first back piece 210. The second back piece 230 may be connected to the first back piece 210 by other means such as sewing, and/or heat or ultrasonic welding.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of the glove 300 of the present invention wherein the second back piece present in the glove represented in FIG. 1 is completely removed. Aside from the second back piece, the glove 300 of the present invention has all the same features as described for the glove in FIG. 1 wherein glove 300 comprises a back portion 301 consisting of a breathable and elastic back piece 305 and a first strengthening overlay 310 made of polyurethane covering a first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece 305 made at least in part of a polyester material, the first plurality of portions together being less than the total area of the breathable and elastic back piece 305, a palm-side piece 302 having four finger pieces 54, 56, 58, 60 and a thumb piece 62, the palm-side piece 302 being connected to the breathable and elastic back piece to form four finger sheaths 70, 72, 74, 76 corresponding to the little, ring, middle, and index fingers, a thumb sheath 78, and an opening 44 capable of receiving a human hand, the opening 44 located opposite the four finger sheaths 70, 72, 74, 76 and corresponding approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove 300 is worn by the user with fingers of the user extending within the four finger sheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath.

The back portion 301 of glove 300 may further comprise a second strengthening overlay 315 covering a second plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece corresponding to each of the fingernails of the user's hand when the glove is worn, to enhance sturdiness and durability of the glove 300.

The back portion 301 of glove 300 in some examples, may also have a wrist strap 335 connected to glove 300 along the opening 44. Wrist strap 335 may be adjustable via a number of mechanisms including but not limited to hook-and-loop connectors, snaps, and buttons.

As in the glove of FIG. 1, the glove of FIG. 3 may also comprise strain-relieving finger gussets 332, 334, 336 and side gussets to connect the finger sheaths 70, 72, 74, and 76, including a thumb gusset 338 for the thumb sheath, to further increase the comfort level of the glove when worn. The gussets may be made of a durable and elastic woven or knitted spandex blend material.

FIG. 4 further illustrates a cross-sectional area 400 of the back portion of the glove of the present invention presented in FIG. 3 where the breathable and elastic first back piece 410 and the first strengthening overlay 420 present. As seen in this figure, the first back piece 410 and the strengthening overlay 420 are completely bonded together.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary glove 500 of the present invention as worn by the athlete with fingers bent, as to hold an American football ball. This figure shows how the less elastic strengthening overlay is strategically positioned onto the breathable and elastic back piece of the glove 500 to protect the hand without affecting the range of motion of the glove. The elastic back piece is left exposed at the places where fingers bend. More specifically, the elastic back piece is left exposed at the distal inte-phalangeal joints of the little 510, ring 520, middle 530, and index 540 fingers. The proximal inter-phalangeal joints of the little 550, ring 560, middle 570, and index 580 fingers. The knuckles of the little 590, ring 600, middle 610, and index 620 fingers. In a different example, the part of the thumb sheath that aligns with the metacarpophalangeal joint, could also be made of the same material as the flexible back piece and be left exposed for better mobility of the thumb (not shown).

The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative models of the present invention may become apparent without departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. An athletic glove capable of receiving a human hand, comprising: a breathable and elastic first back piece; a first strengthening overlay covering a first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece, the first plurality of portions together being less than the total area of the breathable and elastic back piece wherein, the strengthening overlay does not cover the parts of the elastic first back piece that align with the four fingers' knuckles, distal inter-phalangeal joints, and the proximal inter-phalangeal joints; a second back piece connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece; and a palm-side piece having four finger pieces and a thumb piece, the palm-side piece connected to the breathable and elastic first back piece and the second back piece to form four finger sheaths corresponding to the little, ring, middle, and index fingers, a thumb sheath and an opening capable of receiving a human hand, the opening located opposite the four finger sheaths and corresponding approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is worn by the user with fingers of the user extending within the four finger sheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath.
 2. The athletic glove of claim 1, further comprising: at least one strain-relieving cutout on the second back portion, the location of each cutout corresponding to an inner side of the little, index, and thumb finger sheaths; for each strain-relieving cutout, a strain relieving finger gusset connecting the cutout to the corresponding two adjacent finger sheaths; and a thumb gusset connecting the thumb portion at the center of the palm-side piece.
 3. The athletic glove of claim 2, wherein the gussets are made of a stretchable material.
 4. The athletic glove of claim 2, wherein the thumb gusset extends from the back portion, between the thumb sheath and index finger sheath, and to the palm-side piece.
 5. The athletic glove of claim 3, wherein the thumb gusset extends substantially to both the opening adjacent to the breathable and elastic first back piece and the second back piece, and to the opening adjacent to the center of the palm-side piece.
 6. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the first strengthening overlay is at least in part a series of intersecting strips.
 7. The athletic glove of claim 3, wherein the intersecting strips are about approximately between one-eighth and one fourth of an inch wide.
 8. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of portions together are less than about approximately half of the total area of the breathable and elastic first back piece.
 9. The athletic glove of claim 1, further comprising: a second strengthening overlay covering a second plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic first back piece corresponding to the ring finger and middle finger fingernails of the user's hand when the glove is worn.
 10. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the first strengthening overlay is made of polyurethane.
 11. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the breathable and elastic first back piece is made at least in part of polyester.
 12. The athletic glove of claim 1, further comprising: a second strengthening overlay covering a second plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic first back piece corresponding to each of the fingernails of the user's hand when the glove is worn.
 13. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the first strengthening overlay includes a plurality of nodes connected by strips.
 14. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the second back portion is made of a synthetic leather material.
 15. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the second back portion is made of a leather material.
 16. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the second back portion is made of a fabric material.
 17. An athletic glove capable of receiving a human hand, comprising: a breathable and elastic back piece; a first strengthening overlay covering a first plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece, the first plurality of portions together being less than the total area of the breathable and elastic back piece wherein, the strengthening overlay does not cover the parts of the elastic first back piece that align with the four fingers' knuckles, distal inter-phalangeal joints, and the proximal inter-phalangeal joints; a palm-side piece having four finger pieces and a thumb piece, the palm-side piece connected to the breathable and elastic back piece to form four finger sheaths corresponding to the little, ring, middle, and index fingers, a thumb sheath and an opening capable of receiving a human hand, the opening located opposite the four finger sheaths and corresponding approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is worn by the user with fingers of the user extending within the four finger sheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath.
 18. The athletic glove of claim 17, wherein the first strengthening overlay is made of polyurethane.
 19. The athletic glove of claim 17, wherein the breathable elastic material is made at least in part of polyester.
 20. The athletic glove of claim 17, further comprising: a second strengthening overlay covering a second plurality of portions of the breathable and elastic back piece corresponding to each of the fingernails of the user's hand when the glove is worn. 